A CHILDREN’S charity says it was contacted on average 25 times a day by those concerned about a parent or carer’s drug or alcohol use.
The NSPCC revealed between April 2024 and March 2025 9,192 calls were made to the helpline in the UK.
It added in the same period last year, 73,250 children in England who were subject to a Child in Need assessment were identified as having a parent who misused alcohol.
This included 7,330 children in the West Midlands.
According to Nacoa (the National Association for Children of Alcoholics), one in five children is affected by a parent’s drinking.
The NSPCC released its Helpline data to lend support to Nacoa UK’s Children of Alcoholics Week, between February 8 and 1, which wants children affected by a parent or carer’s substance misuse to know there is help available and they do not need to suffer in silence.
Support is also available for parents who are concerned about the impact of their own or another adult’s substance misuse on a child.
Ashley opened up to her NSPCC practitioner about her mum’s drinking and the impact it had on her and family, when she was 15.
She said: “My mum used to drink every day as far back as I can remember. Her drinking meant that I had to be the mum to my siblings and I didn’t really have a life. I was responsible for making sure my siblings all got fed, were dressed and bathed and in school. I cooked and cleaned around the house too.
“I didn’t feel like I was a child, I felt like I was growing up too quickly. I didn’t speak to anyone about what was going on at home because I didn’t realise it was wrong. That was just my life, and I thought it was normal.”
NSPCC’s Helpline also hears from adults who are concerned about children’s wellbeing as a result of an addict in their life.
One neighbour told the helpline: “I’m calling as I’m worried about three young children in our building. Both of the parents are heavy drinkers; they seem to be drunk all the time, even during the day: one time I witnessed the mother completely out of it, lying in the front garden, whilst her kids were wandering around the street in their underwear. I’m really worried about the environment these kids are living in.”
Parental substance misuse can have a devastating impact on children at different stages in their development.
During pregnancy, drinking and drug use can put babies at risk of birth defects, premature birth, being born underweight and withdrawal symptoms.
In later years, children are at risk of behavioural or emotional problems; poor attendance at school or low grades; physical and emotional abuse or neglect; or being exposed to criminal activity.
Kam Thandi, NSPCC Helpline director, said: “Most parents and carers who drink alcohol do so in moderation, which doesn’t present an increased risk of harm to their children. However, when they take it in large quantities over a long period of time it can lead to abuse and neglect with serious consequences for their future.
“We want children to know they are not alone and there is help and support available to them. Our Childline service is here to listen to any child, and our NSPCC Helpline is there to provide advice and support to adults who are concerned about parental substance misuse.”
Childline is on hand 24 hours a day, free and in confidence, on 0800 1111.
Nacoa UK’s Helpline is available for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking on 0800 358 3456 or at [email protected].
